In the past two years, Pakistan’s Test pacers have experienced a significant decline in their bowling speed and overall performance.
Since 2022, the average pace of Pakistani Test pacers has dropped notably, averaging just 38.78 mph, which is a stark contrast to their previous standards.
This drop in speed has coincided with a decline in their effectiveness on the field, raising concerns about the future of Pakistan’s fast bowling tradition.
Over the last two years, Pakistan’s pacers have participated in 17 Test matches, during which they have collectively taken 116 wickets.
Injuries to Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah in intervals have hampered their progress affecting their pace in the last two years, especially in red-ball cricket.
This is the lowest wicket tally among the top nine Test-playing nations during the same period (since 2022). The decline in both pace and wicket-taking ability is alarming for a nation that has historically produced some of the fastest and most feared bowlers in the world.
The reasons for this drop in performance could be multifaceted, including factors like injuries, a lack of proper training, or possibly even a shift in focus towards limited-overs cricket.
Whatever the cause, the current statistics are a far cry from Pakistan’s rich legacy in fast bowling, which includes legends like Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Shoaib Akhtar, who were known for their blistering speed and wicket-taking prowess.
As Pakistan looks to rebuild and regain its stature in the Test arena, addressing the decline in fast-bowling performance will be crucial.
The team management and coaching staff will need to find ways to restore the pace and effectiveness that once made Pakistan’s fast bowlers a formidable force on the international stage.
| Team | Matches | Wkts | Average |
| South Africa | 20 | 222 | 25.76 |
| England | 33 | 398 | 26.31 |
| Australia | 29 | 309 | 26.94 |
| India | 21 | 161 | 27.91 |
| Sri Lanka | 19 | 141 | 29.51 |
| New Zealand | 19 | 240 | 31.13 |
| West Indies | 20 | 231 | 31.38 |
| Bangladesh | 18 | 112 | 37.41 |
| Pakistan | 17 | 116 | 38.78 |
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